Nasa has selected $118.1m of aerospace technology and innovation projects from small businesses and research institutions in the US that will support the agency in its future missions into the solar system and beyond.

Under the small business innovation research (SBIR) programme, the agency selected 119 proposals with a total value of around $88.8m, nine projects worth around $13.5m.

Selected proposals also include 21 research and technology projects worth $15.8m under Nasa’s small technology transfer (STTR) programme.

As part of the second phase of SBIR and STTR programmes, Nasa and the selected proposals will begin negotiations over contracts.

"Ultra-high energy solid-state rechargeable batteries will be evaluated to potentially power spacecraft travelling to distant planets."

The projects each will receive a grant up to $750,000, and will be carried out for no more than two years.

The companies and research institutions will develop technologies for human and robotic spacecraft, in-space propulsion, telescope technologies and next-generation sensors, to explore other planets.

The selected projects will support 117 companies and research institutions across 26 states in the country, Nasa said.

Nasa space technology mission directorate associate administrator Steve Jurczyk said: "Just as small businesses are driving our economy, technology is driving exploration.

"These selected proposals demonstrate the creativity of American entrepreneurs and, along with our other technology investments, will contribute to ensuring the US remains a leader in technology development and space exploration."

Among the proposals, ultra-high energy solid-state rechargeable batteries will be evaluated to potentially power spacecraft travelling to distant planets.

The study on departure scheduling and traffic flow management could improve integration procedures within the national airspace system.